Supermarket giant Woolworths will no longer provide single-use plastic bags to local shoppers from today (June 20), as part of a push for a greener image.
The retail giant announced last year it intended to end the use of single-use plastic bags in all stores by the end of this month, and competitor Coles will instigate a similar ban from July 1.
With both supermarket giants setting up shop in various locations around the Hawkesbury, the Gazette went online to gauge community reaction to the ban.
Some residents said they would take the anti-plastic push more seriously if the supermarket chains stopped pre-packaging fresh produce.
“Maybe if they stopped prepackaging everything in styrofoam trays and cling wrap, their cries of protecting the environment may be a little more credible. Just another opportunity to grab some extra cash by selling reusable bags,” Garry Bailey commented on Facebook.
Others thought paper bags might be a better option.
“The basic point is you don't buy more plastic,” David Thompson posted. “The thicker bags are even worse for the environment, so the box idea that you reuse is perhaps the best option. Second best would be recycled paper bags that you buy and then put your garbage in. Third best option might be buying reusable thick plastic carry bags and make sure to reuse them.”
Other people expressed concerns over what would happen with online orders.
Woolworths issued a statement last week saying customers would have the choice between selecting reuseable plastic bags for $1 extra per order, or could they could select a ‘crate to bench’ option for $3.50.
One local community group has presented locals with a different option.
Sharon Grech from Not-for-profit Boomerang Bags Hawkesbury was visiting Richmond businesses last week, spreading the word about its reuseable bags using upcycled old sheets, clothes, and donated material.
Part of a worldwide movement making reuseable bags, the group has been operating for about 12 months in the local area and sells their bags them for a donation at Richmond’s Good Food market.
Ms Grech said there were about eight members of the group that sewed the bags to help reduce the use of plastic.
“It’s more a discussion with people about how you don’t need to use plastic,” she said. “The response from people has been so positive.”
The group holds ‘sewing bees’ on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
For more information, go to the group’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/plasticbagfreevillage/
“We really do have to wean off plastic, but the thicker ones are going to cause more of a problem long term. Maybe bio degradable or paper, much better choice,” Judi O'Neile posted.
Other people expressed concerns over what would happen with online orders. Woolworths issued a statement last week saying customers would have the choice between selecting reuseable plastic bags for $1 extra per order, or could they could select a ‘crate to bench’ order for $3.50.
One local group has been creating reuseable bags for members of the community using upcycled sheets, t-shirts, and donated material and selling them for a donation at Richmond’s Good Food market.
Boomerang Bags Hawkesbury, part of a worldwide movement making reuseable bags, has been operating for about 12 months in the local area. Group member Sharon Grech said there were about eight in the group that sewed the bags to help reduce the use of plastic.
“It’s more a discussion with people about how you don’t need to use plastic,” she told the Gazette. “The response from people has been so positive, it’s really great.”
The group holds sewing bees on Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more information on joining the group or obtaining some of their bags, search Boomerang Bags Hawkesbury on Facebook.